3 shot on Near West Side

Three people, including a 15-year-old boy, were shot on the Near West Side this evening, but all suffered what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The shootings took place in the 200 block of South Western Avenue, near a liquor store, about 5:30 p.m., but no one at the store was believed involved, police said.

The boy, who was shot in the chest, and two other victims, both men, were all taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, but all had been stabilized by about 8 p.m., police said. One of the victims, age 48, was taken to the hospital but declined further treatment and was released.

Among those shot was a man in his 40s, shot in the right arm, and a second victim who was shot in the buttocks, said Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Veejay Zala.

Police were still trying to determine a motive.

Later tonight, a 21-year-old man was shot in the leg in the 5500 block of West Monroe Street, Zala said.